Holding apparatus systems for injectable fluid bottles

ABSTRACT

A holding apparatus system for releasably holding injectable fluid bottles, comprising a pair of elongate elements for releasably gripping a neck portion of a bottle, and a retaining structure for permitting the elongate elements to be moved between a closed position configured to grip the neck portion of the bottle and an open position configured to release the neck portion of the bottle from being gripped by the elongate elements. In other embodiments, the elongate elements each have a first end and a second end, and the first ends of the elongate elements being relatively closer together than the second ends of the elongate elements so that the elongate elements diverge toward the second ends. A method of dispensing an injectable substance from a bottle using a bottle holder apparatus is also disclosed.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of my U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/483,945 filed Jul. 10, 2006, pending, which is hereby incorporatedherein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to bottle holder and more particularlypertains to a new holding apparatus system for injectable fluid bottlesfor minimizing the exposure of health care workers and patients tounintended needle pricks, as well as helping keep the fluid bottlessterile and generally facilitating the control of health care costs.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Injecting substances, such as medications, using hypodermic needles andsyringes is a common procedure in hospitals and clinics and doctor'soffices, as well as in the homes of diabetics and other persons thatdepend upon daily injections. Additionally, injections are also commonlyperformed on farms. Typically, the injection requires the health careworker or doctor (or patient in the case of self-injections) to hold thebottle of medication in one hand, in an inverted position, and insertthe needle into the bottle and partially withdraw the plunger of thesyringe until a desired amount of the medication is withdrawn from thebottle. At that point, the tip portion of the needle is removed from thebottle and the bottle placed on a surface so that the injection can beadministered.

However, each injection presents an opportunity for an accident, whichcan range from an unintended stick of the patient, the healthcare workeror a bystander, to an unintended squirting of the medication prior tothe needle being inserted into the intended recipient of the medication.Quite often these accidents are the result of the practice of the personhaving to hold the needle in one hand and the bottle in the other hand,and then having to insert the sharp needle into the relatively smallopening on the bottle (which is uniformly small regardless of the sizeof the body portion of the bottle). The insertion of the needle into theopening of the bottle thus presents a highly risky task, especially whenit is repeated many times a day by a variety of staff persons.

Despite the inherent danger of this process, the procedure has remainedbasically the same for years. Even as concerns over the transmission ofdiseases through unintended needle pricks has led to improvements in thehandling of discarded syringes and needles, the preparation andadministration of injections has remained basically the same.

It is therefore felt that there is a significant need for improvementsto the safety of this frequently repeated process, but an improvementthat can benefit even those persons that self-inject only once a day.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types ofbottle holders now present in the prior art, the present inventionprovides a new holding apparatus system for injectable fluid bottleswherein the same can be utilized for minimizing the exposure of healthcare workers and patients to unintended needle pricks.

To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a holderapparatus for releasably holding injectable fluid bottles, which in oneimplementation comprises a pair of elongate elements for releasablygripping a neck portion of a bottle, and a retaining structure forpermitting the elongate elements to be moved between a closed positionconfigured to grip the neck portion of the bottle and an open positionconfigured to release the neck portion of the bottle from being grippedby the elongate elements.

In another implementation of the invention, the holder apparatus forreleasably holding injectable fluid bottles comprises a pair of elongateelements for releasably gripping a neck portion of a bottle. Each of theelongate elements have a first end and a second end, with the first endsof the elongate elements being relatively closer together than thesecond ends of the elongate elements so that the elongate elementsdiverge toward the second ends.

In another aspect of the invention, a method of dispensing an injectablesubstance from a bottle having a body portion and a constricted neckportion is disclosed, which includes providing a bottle holdercomprising a pair of elongate elements for releasably gripping a neckportion of a bottle, with a portion of each of the elongate elementsbeing positioned for gripping the neck portion of the bottle between theat least a portion of each of the elongate elements. The method mayfurther include positioning the neck portion of the bottle between theportions of each of the elongate elements so that the neck portion islodged between the portions of the elongate elements, and inserting aneedle into an opening of the bottle as the neck portion of the bottleis lodged between the elongate elements.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more importantfeatures of the invention in order that the detailed description thereofthat follows may be better understood, and in order that the presentcontribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additionalfeatures of the invention that will be described hereinafter and whichwill form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of theinvention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited in its application to the details of construction and to thearrangements of the components set forth in the following description orillustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of otherembodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways.Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminologyemployed herein are for the purpose of description and should not beregarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception,upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basisfor the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carryingout the several purposes of the present invention. It is important,therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalentconstructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope ofthe present invention.

One significant advantage of the present invention is the capability tohold bottles of injectable substances away from the hands of the user,so that when a needle is inserted into the bottle, the hands are keptaway from the needle and thus the chance of the user accidentally pokinghimself or herself with the needle while attempting to remove the fluidfrom the bottle and fill the syringe is minimized, if not virtuallyeliminated.

Further advantages of the invention, along with the various features ofnovelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out withparticularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of thisdisclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operatingadvantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, referenceshould be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter inwhich there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and objects of the inventionwill become apparent when consideration is given to the followingdetailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to theannexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a new holder apparatus forinjectable fluid bottles according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of an optional configuration ofthe present invention, particularly illustrating a supporting structurewith a single standard.

FIG. 3 is a schematic top view of the optional configuration of thepresent invention shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of another optional configuration of thepresent invention, particularly illustrating a supporting structure withtwo standards.

FIG. 5 is a schematic end view of the optional configuration of presentinvention shown in FIG. 4 showing the standards in an articulatedcondition.

FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view of the present invention takenalong line 6-6 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of another optional configurationof the present invention particularly illustrating the elongate elementsin a substantially V-shaped arrangement.

FIG. 8 is a schematic end view of the elongate elements showing onepossible variation of the cross sectional shape of the elements, andillustrating lateral movement of the element or elements with respect toeach other.

FIG. 9 a is a schematic top view of a portion of the elongate elementsshowing an optional configuration in which each of the elements includesa notch for receiving a section of the neck portion of the bottle.

FIG. 9 b is a schematic top view of a portion of the elongate elementsshowing an optional configuration in which one of the elements includesa notch for receiving a section of the neck portion of the bottle, andthe other element does not.

FIG. 9 c is a schematic top view of a portion of the elongate elementsshowing an optional configuration in which neither of the elementsincludes a notch, and have surfaces that are substantially parallel toeach other.

FIG. 10 is a schematic top view of a portion of the pair of elongateelements having irregular, substantially “zig-zag” shaped opposingsurfaces.

FIG. 11 is a schematic top view of a variation of the present inventionwhich is highly suitable for mounting on an upright bar.

FIG. 12 is a schematic top view of a variation of the present inventionwhich is highly suitable for mounting on an upright bar, and whichincludes a plurality of pair of elongate elements extending in differentdirections.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through12 thereof, a new holding apparatus system for injectable fluid bottlesembodying the principles and concepts of the present invention andgenerally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

The holder apparatus 10 is highly suitable for holding injectable fluidbottles 1 in a manner that reduces the hand and skin of the user to thehypodermic needle as the needle is inserted through the mouth of thebottle and the fluid is drawn out of the bottle, as well as when theneedle is withdrawn from the bottle. The bottle 1 of the injectablefluid typically has a body portion 2, a neck portion 3, and a mouthportion 4. The bottle also includes an interior 5 that holds theinjectable fluid, and the interior at the neck portion 3 is typicallyrelatively constricted in size with respect to the mouth 4 and body 2portions. Although the size of the body portion 2 of the bottle 1 mayvary in size according to the capacity of the bottle, the neck portion 3is substantially uniform in size among bottles with different capacities(see FIG. 8). Typically, although not necessarily, the width or diameterof the neck portion if approximately ⅝ inches (approximately 1.6 cm).The mouth portion 4 includes an opening 6 into the interior of thebottle into which the needle is inserted, and the opening 6 may becovered by a membrane 7 that can be punctured by the needle. As themouth portion 4 and opening 6 are typically relatively small to minimizethe size of the membrane 7, the membrane “target” for the needle isrelatively small and often difficult to engage and puncture,particularly if the person holding the syringe is distracted byconversation or other events occurring in the area of that person.

The holder apparatus 10 of the invention includes a structure forengaging the bottle in a secure yet easily manipulated manner. Inembodiments of the invention, the holder 10 includes a pair of elongateelements 12, 14 that engage the bottle securely but permit relativelyeasy mounting of the bottle on the elements prior to use, and thenremoval of the bottle after the fluid has been drawn from the bottle.The elongate elements 12, 14 are positionable on opposite sides of theneck portion 3 of the bottle 1 in a manner that holds the neck portionin a substantially stationary condition (see FIG. 5), which permits theuser to remove his or her hands from the bottle and thus permits theuser to place both hands on the syringe if needed while the needle isinserted through the membrane 7 and into the interior 5 of the bottleand the syringe is manipulated to draw the fluid out of the interior andinto the syringe.

In some embodiments of the invention, each of the elongate elements 12,14 are substantially rigid to resist bending of the respective elongateelement. Optionally, the each of the substantially rigid elongateelements may be slightly flexible to permit a small degree of bowing ofthe element, but elements 12, 14 having this character should exhibitsufficient resiliency so that if the element is bowed, the element willreturn to its shape (for example, linear) once the bowing force isremoved. With these characteristics, the elements 12, 14 are highlysuitable for pinching the neck portion 3 of the bottle 1 therebetween,especially when the separation distance between the normal positions ofthe elements 12, 14 is at least slightly less that the diameter of theoutside surface of the neck portion 3 of the bottle. As a result, whenthe elements 12, 14 are positioned on either side of the neck portion 3,the elements abut against and apply a pinching force to the neckportion, and also resist movement of the mouth portion 4 (or the bodyportion 2) of the bottle 1 between and through the gap between theelements 12, 14. Each of the elements 12, 14 has a respective first end16, 17 and a respective second end 18, 19.

In some embodiments of the invention, such as is shown in FIG. 1 through6, the elongate elements 12, 14 are maintained in a substantiallyparallel relationship in which at least a portion of the length of theelements between the first and second ends thereof. The spacing of theinward facing surfaces of the uniformly spaced portions of the elements12, 14 should be slightly less than the diameter of the outside surfaceof the neck portion of the bottle, which is typically approximately 0.5to approximately 1.0 inches (approximately 1.2 to approximately 2.5 cm).It will be recognized that the more that the spacing distance is lessthan the neck portion diameter, the greater the hold on the bottle bythe elements, but also the more difficult it may be for the user toplace the neck portion between the elements and secure the elements, aswill be further described below. Conversely, the closer the spacingdistance between the elements 12, 14 is to the dimension of the neckportion, the more relatively loose the hold on the bottle will be, butthe bottle may be easier to mount between the elements and secure theelements. As will be described in greater detail below, the positioningof the neck portion of a bottle between the elements 12, 14, may causethe surfaces of the elements to be somewhat deformed by the presence ofthe neck portion, such as is illustratively shown in FIG. 9 c.

In other embodiments, such as shown in FIGS. 9 a and 9 b, one or both ofthe elongate elements 12, 14 may be shaped in some manner to accept theneck portion between the elements 12, 14. For example, as shown in FIG.9 a, each of the elements 12, 14 may be contoured with opposing notches54 that each receive a section of the neck portion of the bottlepositioned therebetween. This configuration of the elements 12, 14 canreduce the possibility of slipping of the neck portion along the gapbetween the elements, and may reduce the amount of pinching force thatneeds to be exerted by the elements on the bottle. As shown in FIG. 9 b,only one of the elements 12, 14 may include a notch 54, while theopposing surface on the other element is relatively free of any notch,but still may be somewhat deformed by the presence of the neck portionof the bottle.

In yet another variation, as shown in FIG. 10, each of the elongateelements 56, 58, may have an irregular or “zig-zag” profile thatgenerally fit with each other, and are longitudinally shiftable withrespect to each other. In this embodiment, the gap between the opposedsurfaces of the elements 56, 58 may be increased to permit the mouthportion of the bottle to be inserted through the gap between theopposing surfaces, and then the elements may be shifted in a reversedirection to grip the neck portions between the opposing surfaces.

It will be recognized that one, two, or more bottles may simultaneouslybe mounted on the elements 12, 14, which can facilitate situations wheremore than one injection of more than one fluid may be required, such asin the case of a surgical operation or an emergency room trauma unit.

In other embodiments of the invention, such as is shown in FIG. 7, theelongate elements 12, 14 are oriented with respect to each other in adivergent relationship, which may resemble a “V”. In this orientation,the first ends 16, 17 of the elements 12, 14 are positioned relativelycloser together than the second ends 18, 19 of the elements. Theelements 12, 14 thus converge toward the first ends 16, 17 and divergetoward the second ends 18, 19. In these embodiments, the neck portion 3of the bottle 1 is moved between the elements 12, 14 until the surfacesof both of the elements engage the neck portion, typically at oppositelocations on the neck portion, and the neck portion may be effectively“wedged” between the elements. This effect may be created by some degreeof resilient flexibility in the elements 12, 14. One advantage of thisembodiment is the ability to accept and engage bottles having a widerange of diameters of neck portions, as the neck portion of the bottleis simply moved between the elements toward the converging first endsuntil the neck portion is felt to be sufficiently lodged between theelements so that the bottle will not be easily dislodged.

The bottle holder apparatus 10 of the invention may also comprisesupporting structure 20 may also include structure for supporting theelongate elements 12, 14 on a vertical surface (e.g., a wall or ahorizontal surface (e.g., a table or counter). The supporting structure20 may include one or more standards 26, 28 that support the elongateelements 12, 14 on a support, such as, for example, a vertical surfaceor a horizontal surface. In some embodiments, a pair of the standards26, 28 is employed and is positioned toward the ends 16, 17, 18, 19 ofthe elements 12, 14. In other embodiments, only one standard 26 may beemployed.

The standard 26, 28 of the supporting structure 20 may include a baseportion 30 for engaging a vertical or horizontal surface. The baseportion 30 of the structure 20 may include means for mounting the baseportion to the surface, such as one or more mounting apertures 32 thatare located on the base portion that accept fasteners that are extendedinto a vertical or horizontal surface. The elongate elements 12, 14 maybe mounted on the base portion 30, although in some embodiments thesupport structure 20 may also include an intermediate portion 36 that ismounted on the base portion 30 and the elements 12, 14 of the apparatus10. In some embodiments, the intermediate portion 36 is pivotable withrespect to the base portion 30 about an axis to permit pivot adjustmentof the positioning of the elongate element 12, 14 with respect to thesurface that the base portion engages. A pivot joint may join the base30 and intermediate 36 portions together. In embodiments that employonly a single standard, an additional pivot joint may be employed toprovide another axis of adjustment for the elongate elements 12, 14,relative to the surface.

In other embodiments, such as shown in FIG. 7, a supporting structure 36is somewhat simpler in that the elongate elements 12, 14 merely need tobe supported in a substantially immovable relationship (at least at thepoint of support for the elements).

The bottle holder apparatus 10 of the invention may further includeretaining structure 40 for retaining at least a portion of the elongateelements 12, 14 in a suitable relationship to each other to permit abottle (or multiple bottles) to be securely held between the elements,while also permitting the bottle or bottles to be readily mounted anddismounted. In some embodiments, such as those shown in FIGS. 1 through6, the retaining structure 40 generally holds the first ends 16, 17 ofthe elongate elements 12, 14 in an adjacent (but typically spaced)relationship, and the retaining structure 40 releasably holds the secondends 18, 19 of the elongate elements in an adjacent (but typicallyspaced) relationship. The ends 16, 17, 18, 19 may be maintained at aspacing distance that is slightly smaller than the diameter of the neckportion, or the ends may be at different spacings than the portions ofthe elongate elements that are intended to engage the bottles.

In many embodiments, the retaining structure 40 permits the second ends18, 19 of the elements 12, 14 to be moved away from each other toincrease the space between the elements, at least toward the secondends. This capability to move the second ends apart permits the neckportions 3 of the bottles to be relatively easily inserted between theelements 12, 14 before the elements are moved back toward each other toapply a pinching force to the neck portions. In some embodiments, thismovement occurs in both elongate elements 12, 14 (for example, bothelements are movable), and in other embodiments the movement issubstantially restricted to one 12 of the elongate elements, while theother element 14 is maintained in a substantially stationary condition.In either arrangement, the elongate elements 12, 14 are thus movablebetween a closed position (such as is shown in solid lines in FIG. 3)and an open position (such as is shown in broken lines in FIG. 3). Inthe closed position, the elongate elements 12, 14 may be positioned in asubstantially uniformly spaced relationship capable of holding andconstraining the neck portions of any bottles on the apparatus, whilethe presence of the neck portion between the elements may bow theelements outwardly somewhat from the substantially parallelrelationship. In the open position, the elongate elements 12, 14 aremoved out of the substantially uniformly spaced relationship, and maytend to diverge toward one end, to permit the loading or unloading ofone or more bottles with respect to the apparatus 10. As previouslynoted, not all portions of the elongate elements 12, 14 need to bemaintained in a uniformly spaced or parallel condition in the closedposition, but it is believed that at least a portion of the elementsshould have a substantially uniformly spaced relationship to grip theneck portion of the bottle.

The retaining structure 40 may thus include means for holding the firstends 16, 17 together is a substantially rigid and immovable relationshipto each other, so that the spacing between the first ends does not varysignificantly as the elements 12, 14 are moved from the closed positionto the open position. It should be noted at this point of thedescription that the elements 12, 14 are not necessarily two completelyseparate parts, but may be a single part or connected parts that aresimply bent at the first ends 16, 17 of the elements to form the twoelements. Thus, the single part could be a single part that is simplywrapped about a post and about which the elements 12, 14 are able tomove to some degree. The first ends 16, 17 of the elements may besituated between plates 42, 43 that may or may not permit movement ofthe first ends with respect to each other. Those skilled in the art willrecognize that many different structures may be constructed to establishthe described relationship between the ends.

In embodiments in which the elongate elements 12, 14 are moveable withrespect to each other, the retaining structure 40 may also include meansof holding the second ends 18, 19 of the elements 12, 14 in asubstantially uniformly spaced relationship when the elements are in theclosed position, as well as permitting the second ends to be selectivelymoved apart as the elements are moved from the closed portion to theopen position. Again, those skilled in the art will recognize that thereare a number of suitable structures for achieving this function,including structures for releasably connecting the second ends 18, 19together. The drawings illustrate a number of optional structures forperforming this function, but others may also be used. For example, asshown in FIG. 1, a bar 44 may be employed that is substantiallypermanently secured to the second end of one of the elements 12, 14(preferably the second end of the relatively stationary element 12). Thebar 44 may have at least one, and optionally more than one, slot 45 forremovably receiving the second end of the movable element 14. Anotherexample, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawings, a connectingstructure may include an engaging arm 46 that is substantiallypermanently mounted on one of the elements and that releasably engagesthe other element. Illustratively, the engaging arm 24 may include barbsor teeth that releasably engage substantially complementary teeth on theother elongate element to resist movement of the elements away from eachother. In yet another example, such as is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a clip48 is relatively permanently mounted on one of the elements 12, 14, andis able to releasably capture the other of the elements and hold theelements in the substantially uniformly spaced relationship. In someimplementations, the clip 48 is rotatable (see FIG. 5) to assist in thecapture and release of the movable element. These are only a fewexamples of various suitable structures that may be employed.

However, it is anticipated that embodiments in which the elongateelements 12, 14 are connected only at one end may be constructed, inwhich one of the elements pivots away from and toward the other elementto load and unload bottles from the apparatus. In such embodiments, itis believed that there is a need to be able to securely lock theelements into a substantially uniformly spaced condition without thepossibly that a bottle could be accidentally released from between theelements prior to intentional release of the bottle from between theelements. In other embodiments, there may be no connected between theelements 12, 14, which may be separately supported, and one or both ofthe elements may be laterally movable with respect to the other (see,for example, elements 60, 62 in FIG. 8).

In a significant aspect of the invention, at least one of the elongateelements, and in some embodiments, both of the elongate elements 12, 14,have a dual character. More specifically, at least one of the elongateelements 12, 14 has a compressible surface that exhibits a degree ofresilient deformability for deforming when pressed against the surfaceof the neck portion of a bottle (see, for example, FIG. 9 c), and thensubstantially recovers its shape after removed from contact with thebottle. To provide this character, at least one of the elements has anelastomeric coating that forms the surface of the element.

Illustratively, as shown in FIG. 6, at least one of the elongateelements comprises a central rod 50 and an outer tube 52, with thecentral rod 50 being positioned in the outer tube 52. In someembodiments, the central rod comprises a substantially rigid materialresistant to bending, and the outer tube comprises a compressiblematerial. The central rod 50 thus provides the highly rigid character ofthe elements 12, 14, and the outer tube 52 is compliant or compressibleto provide a “gripping” of the neck portion 3 of the bottle 1 thatresists slippage or sliding of the bottle between the elements. In someembodiments, the central rod 50 may be formed of a metal that providessignificant but not absolute resistance to bending, and the outer tubemay comprise tubing formed of an elastomeric or rubber-like material.

While some embodiments of the elongate elements 12, 14 have asubstantially circular cross sectional shape, other cross sectionalshapes may be employed. For example, shapes with relatively squared-offedges, as well as shapes that taper in thickness, may be employed.Illustratively, as shown in FIG. 8, elongate elements 60, 62 have edgesand have a thickness that tapers thinner toward the contact surface areaof the element.

In another aspect of the invention, a method of dispensing an injectablesubstance from a bottle is contemplated, and may use the bottle holderapparatus 10 of the invention. In one implementation of the method, theholder apparatus 10 is provided. The neck portion 3 of the bottle 1 ispositioned between the elongate elements 12, 14. This step may beaccomplished by moving one end of one of the elements 12, 14 away fromthe corresponding end of the other elongate element to thereby increasethe distance between the elements, at least at one end of the elements.The movement of the ends apart may necessitate the release of a securingstructure that holds the corresponding ends of the elements in theadjacent relationship. For example, the engaging arm 24 on one elementmay be released from engagement with the other element. In otherembodiments of the invention in which the elements 12, 14 aresubstantially rigidly held in a V-shaped relationship (such as is shownin FIG. 7), there is no need to move the elements prior to insertion ofthe bottle therebetween.

Once the elements have been moved into an open position, the neckportion 3 of the bottle 1 may be positioned between the elongateelements 12, 14. One hand of the user may be used to maintain themovable element in a proximity to the stationary element such that themoveable element is able to be in contact with the neck portion of thebottle as it is moved between the elements (although the movable elementis not held close enough to the stationary element to exert sufficientpinching force on the neck portion to prevent movement of the neckportion between the elements). The bottle 1 may be positioned at amedial location between the ends 16, 17, 18, and 19, or may be biasedtoward one end or the other. It should be recognized that more than onebottle may be situated between the elements 12, 14 at this time, andthis may be accomplished by maintaining sufficient pressure by the handof the user on the movable element to hold it against the first bottlewhile a second or subsequent bottle is slid between the elements. Thelarger size of the body portion 2 of the bottle relative to the neckportion resists slippage of the bottle between the elements whileadditional bottles are inserted.

In the case of the embodiment with the elements 12, 14 in the V-shapedconfiguration (FIG. 6), the neck portion may be slid between theelongate elements toward a position where the elongate elements convergetoward each other, to a position where the neck portion is sufficientlylodged between the elements to resist movement of the bottle out of thelodged condition.

Once the bottle or bottles to be supported are positioned between theelements 12, 14, then the elongate elements may be moved toward eachother with the neck portions of the bottle positioned therebetween. Theelongate elements 12, 14 are pressed against the neck portion 3 of thebottle, which functions to pinch the neck portion between the elongateelements. The elements 12, 14 may be bowed or deformed outwardly fromeach other by the presence of the neck portions that are wider than thesubstantially uniform spacing of the elements. The resiliency of theelements 12, 14 tends to hold or grip the neck portions in asubstantially stationary condition.

Once the bottle or bottles have been secured between the elements, theuser may adjust the position or orientation of the bottle so thatopening 6 of the mouth portion 4 is easily accessed, and so that thebottle (if not already) is positioned in an inverted orientationsuitable for drawing fluid from the bottle. A needle is then insertedinto the opening 6 of the bottle, and the substance or fluid is drawnfrom the bottle into the needle and the syringe. The needle and syringemay be used to inject the person.

The bottle or bottles may be removed from the holder apparatus 10 byessentially reversing the process used to mount the bottles, includingreleasing the pinching pressure of the elongate elements on the neckportion of the bottle by releasing the movable element and moving theelongate element away from the stationary element.

Another variation of the invention is shown in FIG. 11, whichillustrates the apparatus with the elongate elements 12, 14 maintainedin a substantially parallel and substantially fixed relationship by abase 64 on which the elements 12, 14 are mounted. The base 64 mayinclude a hole 66 that may receive a bar or post or other upright formounting the base on the upright for use. A fastener 68, such as a bolt,may be employed to selectively bear against an upright positioned in thehole 66 to secure the base 64 in position on the upright. This variationmay be useful for mounting on medical apparatus support poles used, forexample, by patients beds, or even on wheelchairs.

In another variation shown in FIG. 12, the apparatus includes aplurality of sets of elongates elements 12, 14 that are oriented indifferent directions from each other. For example, pair of the elements12, 14 may be oriented in opposite directions, or may be oriented indirections that are orthogonal to each other, or in two, three, four ormore different directions. In the illustrative embodiment, the pairs ofelements 12, 14 extend in four different directions from the base 70,which may include a hole 72 and fastener 74 for securing the base 70 andelements 12, 14 in place on an upright.

It should be appreciated from the foregoing description that, exceptwhen mutually exclusive, the features of the various embodimentsdescribed herein may be combined with features of other embodiments asdesired while remaining within the intended scope of the disclosure.

As can be appreciated from the foregoing, bottle holding apparatussystem of the invention may have significant benefits to the health careindustry, including protecting health care providers and their patients.For example, use of the invention may reduce the likelihood of crosscontamination between bottles, which may help in the spread of bacteriasuch as staph, in health care facilities. As the invention provides astable mounting of the injectable bottles, unintended discharges of thefluid from the needle are less likely. Also, the chance of the needlebreaking during the fluid withdrawal process is diminished. The labelson the bottles may be easier to read, so the possibility of confusingmedicine bottles may also be lessened. In high stress areas, such asambulances and emergency rooms, the invention can hold the bottles in auseful arrangement, and can keep the bottles stable for quick use by thehealth care professional.

There are also a number of places where the invention may be used, inaddition to the obvious hospital and clinic settings. The invention maybe employed in ambulances, rescue helicopters, schools, and nursinghomes, as well as in the home and even in mobile applications such asthe vehicles of persons needing regular injections, such as diabetics.The invention may also be used by fire/rescue and police personnel. Theinvention may also be highly useful for the administration of non-humaninjections, such as those injections administered by veterinarians,farmers and ranchers, and zookeepers, as well as scientific personnel inresearch laboratories.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized thatthe optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, toinclude variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and mannerof operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obviousto one skilled in the art in light of the foregoing disclosure, and allequivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings anddescribed in the specification are intended to be encompassed by thepresent invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of theprinciples of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications andchanges will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is notdesired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operationshown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications andequivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of theinvention.

I claim:
 1. A holding system comprising: a base, a pair of elongaterods, each elongate rod having a first end and a second end locatedopposite of the first end, the rods being spaced from each other tocreate a gap therebetween, the first ends of the elongate rods beingsubstantially immovably mounted on the base to maintain a fixed positionof the elongate rods in a fixed orientation with respect to the base,and the second ends being substantially free of connection together, oneof the elongate rods having an inward surface positioned opposite of aninward surface of another one of the elongate rods, the inward surfacesof the elongate rods being oriented parallel to each other such that thegap therebetween is uniform from the first ends to the second ends, eachof the elongate rods being straight from the first end at the base to anendmost point of each rod at the second end; and a medication vialhaving a body portion with a hollow interior configured to hold aquantity of fluid, a neck portion and a mouth portion with an openinginto the hollow interior, the neck portion having a diameter of a sizeless than a diameter of the body portion and less than a diameter of themouth portion; wherein the neck portion of the vial is lodged in the gapbetween the pair of rods such that the rods contact the vial at only twolocations to pinch the neck portion therebetween, the locations on theneck portion being located on substantially opposite sides of the neckportion between the body portion and the mouth portion; wherein at leastone of the elongate rods has a resiliently compressible outer tubemounted thereon to provide a gripping of the neck portion of the vialthat resists slippage or sliding of the vial between the rods; andwherein the medicine vial is in an inverted position with the bodyportion located above the pair of rods and the mouth portion is locatedbelow the rods with an opening of the mouth portion being positioned ata lowest location on the vial.
 2. The system of claim 1 additionallycomprising a mounting structure on the base, the mounting structurebeing configured to mount the base on a support.
 3. The system of claim2 wherein the mounting structure includes an aperture formed in thebase, the aperture being configured to receive the support.
 4. Thesystem of claim 3 wherein the mounting structure includes a fastenermounted on the base and configured to releasably engage a portion of thesupport extending into the aperture, the fastener being movable on thebase to releasably abut against the support when the support a portionof the support is positioned in the aperture.
 5. The system of claim 1wherein both of the elongate rods has a resiliently compressible outertube thereon.
 6. The system of claim 1 wherein base includes a plateextending in a plane and the fixed position of the elongate rods issubstantially perpendicular to the plane of the plate.
 7. The system ofclaim 1 wherein the immovable mounting of the rods on the base preventsany movement of the first ends of the rods with respect to the base. 8.The system of claim 1 wherein the elongate rods have a substantiallycircular cross sectional shape; wherein base includes a plate extendingin a plane and the fixed position of the elongate rods is substantiallyperpendicular to the plane of the plate; and wherein the immovablemounting of the rods on the base prevents any movement of the rods withrespect to the base.
 9. A medication vial holding system for releasablyholding a neck of a medication vial holding an injectable fluid, thesystem comprising: a base, mounting structure on the base configured tomount the base on a support; a pair of elongate rods for releasablygripping the neck of a medication vial, the pair of elongate rods eachhaving first ends and second ends located opposite of the respectivefirst ends, the elongate rods being spaced from each other to create agap therebetween; wherein the first ends of the elongate rods areimmovably mounted on the base to maintain a fixed position of theelongate rods with respect to the base, and the second ends of the rodsbeing substantially free of connection together; wherein at least one ofthe elongate rods has a resiliently compressible outer tube mountedthereon to provide a gripping of the neck of the medication vial thatresists slippage or sliding of the vial between the rods; and whereineach of the elongate rods is straight from the first end at the base tothe second end, the rods being oriented substantially parallel to eachother from the first ends to the tips at the second ends of the rods todefine a uniform width for the gap extending from the first ends to thetips at the second ends of the rods; a medication vial having a bodyportion with a hollow interior configured to hold a quantity of fluid, aneck portion and a mouth portion with an opening into the hollowinterior, the neck portion having a diameter of a size less than adiameter of the body portion and less than a diameter of the mouthportion; wherein the neck portion of the vial is lodged in the gapbetween the pair of rods such that the rods contact the vial at only twolocations to pinch the neck portion therebetween, the locations on theneck portion being located on substantially opposite sides of the neckportion between the body portion and the mouth portion; and wherein themedicine vial is in an inverted position with the body portion locatedabove the lair of rods and the mouth portion is located below the rodswith an opening of the mouth portion being positioned at a lowestlocation on the vial.
 10. The system of claim 9 wherein the immovablemounting of the rods on the base prevents any movement of the first endsof the rods with respect to the base.
 11. The system of claim 9 whereineach of the elongate rods is entirely straight.
 12. The system of claim9 wherein the resiliently compressible tube on the at least one rodprovides a compliant inward surface for said rod.
 13. The system ofclaim 9 wherein the base includes a plate with a front face, and anentirety of each of the elongate rods extends perpendicular to the frontface.
 14. The system of claim 9 additionally including a supportcomprising a bar, and wherein the mounting structure is configured toreceive and engage the bar.
 15. The system of claim 9 wherein themounting structure includes an aperture formed in the base, the aperturebeing configured to receive the support.
 16. The system of claim 15wherein the aperture comprises a hole defined by a continuous edgeextending about the hole.
 17. The system of claim 15 wherein themounting structure includes a fastener mounted on the base andconfigured to releasably engage a portion of the support extending intothe aperture, the fastener being movable on the base to releasably abutagainst the support when a portion of the support is positioned in theaperture.
 18. The system of claim 1 wherein each of the rods is entirelystraight.
 19. The system of claim 1 wherein the endmost point at thesecond end of each rod represents a furthest extent of the rod from thefirst end of the rod.
 20. The system of claim 9 wherein each of theelongate rods is straight from the first end at the base to an endmostpoint of each rod at the second end.